SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Zonar Named a ‘Best Place to Work’ for Second Year in a Row

A Seattle-area business journal recognizes the fleet management technology supplier and other winners based on current employee satisfaction surveys and award submissions.

August 21, 2018
2 min to read


SEATTLE — Fleet management technology supplier Zonar Systems has been named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the 2018 “Best Places to Work” in the state, after having received a similar honor last year.

This year's recognition from the business journal honors the area's leading employers by looking at current employee satisfaction surveys and award submissions.

"At Zonar, everything starts with an inclusive culture and positive workplace. Our core values come from our employees and our customers — they're more than just placards on the wall, and we live them every day," said Paul Kemp, chief people officer at Zonar. "Our people, focused on our customers, drive the creative solutions that we strive for every day and help us forge new paths through innovation."

The company has over 17 years of experience acting as partners and advisors to commercial fleets and operators. Core tenets of the company include improving every day, competing as a team, making a difference, making customers successful, and valuing one another, all while having fun, according to Zonar.

This year has marked a series of major achievements for Zonar, due to close collaboration within the team, including bolstering the compliance team by hiring commercial vehicle industry veteran Ron Cordova, and announcing new pupil products and grants, in addition to helping managers coach drivers.

Zonar has also focused on giving back this year. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Zonar provided aid by partnering with Advanced Transportation, a school bus contractor serving Puerto Rico, to help rebuild the U.S. territory’s school transportation system. Zonar reportedly helped ensure that 345,000 students could arrive at their schooling locations as safely as possible.

The Puget Sound Business Journal’s Best Workplaces entrants are judged based on the results of an employee survey administered by Quantum Market Research. Hundreds of companies are surveyed each year to determine the region’s top 20 employers in each size category (extra large, large, medium, and small). Finalists received the highest score from employees in their respective size categories based on questions related to job satisfaction, relationships with their bosses, camaraderie with fellow employees, opportunity for advancement, and more.

Companies that made the Puget Sound Business Journal’s list were honored during a ceremony at Seattle Mariners Safeco Field on Thursday.

Zonar was also named a bronze winner of the 2017 Best in Biz Awards for Best Place to Work in the medium companies category in 2017.

More Management

Graphic for School Bus Fleet's "Changing Lanes" July 2026 personnel roundup featuring headshots of six industry professionals: Jamie Smith (AMF Buns), Dan Strock (Pro-Vision), Kyndra Webb (HopSkipDrive Council), Jared Schnader (CALSTART), Alycia Gilde (CALSTART), and Micah Enterz (Kooner Fleet Management Solutions), displayed on an orange geometric background.
Managementby StaffJuly 31, 2026

Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner

Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.

Read More →
Promo graphic for the 18th National Congress on School Transportation, featuring a conference audience background and text reading “May 4–6, 2029, St. Louis, Missouri,” alongside the NCST logo.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 29, 2026

NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees

The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.

Read More →
Two school buses parked in front of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 28, 2026

Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City

From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A HopSkipDrive caregiver waits by an open car door in front of a house.
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 27, 2026

HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support

The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
A yellow school bus is parked outside a school beneath a large oak tree with blooming white blossoms, framed by white buildings and a bright blue spring sky.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 27, 2026

Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners

See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.

Read More →
Graphic for a School Bus Fleet article titled "Understanding Emotional Intelligence," featuring wooden letter blocks spelling "IEQ" and the subtitle, "Tips for transportation leaders to stay calm in any situation."
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 26, 2026

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation

Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Zonar Back to School Readiness Report for 2026
SponsoredJuly 23, 2026

2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report

Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
Collage highlighting recipients of the 2026 National School Transportation Association awards at the Annual Meeting and Convention in Denver
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 23, 2026

National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners

Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.

Read More →
A South Carolina Public Schools school bus lineup with text reading "How To Make Routing Data Persuasive."
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 21, 2026

School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells

Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage highlighting NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference, featuring awards presentations, NYAPT President Marc Medina speaking, packed educational sessions, and the event's "Back to the Future" theme celebrating 50 years of pupil transportation leadership.
Managementby StaffJuly 20, 2026

Photos: NYAPT Celebrates 50 Years at 2026 Conference & Trade Show

See highlights from NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference in Saratoga Springs, featuring educational sessions, awards, a trade show, networking, and more.

Read More →